Sydney FC winger Joe Lolley to play against Bangkok United after overcoming hip problem

One of Sydney FC’s key players says he’s fit and ready for the challenge that Bangkok United will provide the Sky Blues on Wednesday night.

Sydney FC star Joe Lolley has declared himself fully fit for the Sky Blues’ AFC Champions League Two date with Bangkok United on Wednesday night after struggling with a hip problem during his team’s 3-3 weekend draw with the Wanderers.

Lolley had one of his quieter A-League nights at Allianz Stadium after slipping on the turf and hurting his hip early in the derby.

“I was a bit sore in my hip in the joint when I slipped over, so I need to make sure I wear the correct footwear – that’s what I learnt,” the English winger said.

“I had a few knocks during the game, but I’m all good now, and ready and available.”

That’s good news for a Sky Blues keen to establish an advantage at home in the first leg of the two-legged round of 16 battle against a team that occupies second spot on the Thai Premier League ladder.

Attention turns to AFC Champions League Two knockout football on Wednesday at the Sydney Football Stadium 🥊

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— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) February 10, 2025

“We know, especially going away (next week for the second leg), with the travel and the hot and humid weather over there, it’s always tougher in the away game, so we want to get off to a good start and stamp our authority on the tie,” Lolley said.

“We want to got as far as possible in Asia. It’s a big competition for us and a chance to get some silverware.

“Hopefully we can represent the A-League and Australian football well and get a good result over the two legs.”
To do so, Lolley said the Sky Blues would have to improve on a “lot of things” from the derby, in which his team scored two late goals to escape with a point.

“I don’t think we were at our best. We obviously finished the game really well … but we need to stop conceding so many goals and giving away as many chance as we do,” he said.

Meanwhile, Central Coast Mariners continue their AFC Champions League Elite campaign on Tuesday night against Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta’zim.

The Mariners are only playing for pride in their final two Champions League Elite competition, already being out of contention for a place in the knockout stages, having picked up just one point from six matches.

Mariners captain Trent Sainsbury said: “We want to get six points from our last two games.”

Originally published as Sydney FC winger Joe Lolley to play against Bangkok United after overcoming hip problem